Hose strangler

Abstract

Disclosed is a hose strangler which considerably reduces the risk of slippage when the strangler is being removed from the hose. The hose strangler includes a clamping member adapted to hold a hose in position. The clamping member has a first arm having a concave portion for receiving the hose and a second arm having a convex portion matching the concave portion of the first arm, the concave and convex portions defining a hose strangling area, where the first and second arms are pivotally secured at a first end so as to permit the clamping member to rotate between a closed position and an opened position. A blocking mechanism to open and close an opening between the first and second arms is also provided, where the blocking mechanism is located in the hose strangling area. A locking mechanism is also provided for securing the clamping member in a closed position. In use, when after the hose has been strangled and the necessary work done, the opening between the first and second arms is open so as to equalize the pressure on both sides of the hose. Once the pressure has been equalized, the locking mechanism can be unlocked and the hose strangler removed safely and without causing any injury.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A hose strangler comprising 
       a clamping member adapted to hold a hose in position, said clamping member comprising  
       a first arm having a concave portion for receiving said hose,  
       a second arm having a convex portion matching said concave portion of said first arm and said convex portion having an indented portion with a longitudinal cavity, said concave and convex portions defining a hose strangling area, said first and second arms being pivotally secured at a first end to permit said clamping member to rotate between a closed position and an open position,  
       a blocking means to open and close an opening between said first and second arms, said blocking means located in said hose strangling area and including a lever having a concave shape matching said convex portion of said second arm, said lever being pivotally mounted within said longitudinal cavity to pivot between a closed position and an open position, where in the closed position said lever is locked by said blocking means so that said lever projects toward said concave portion of said first arm and obstructs said opening and where in the open position said lever is released from said blocking means and permitted to pivot away from the concave portion of said first arm to clear said opening where said indented portion defines said opening; and  
       a locking mechanism for securing said clamping member in a closed position.  
     
     
       2. A hose strangler according to  claim 1 , wherein said locking mechanism comprises a middle arm mounted to a second end of said second arm and a side link having one end adapted to be mounted on a portion of said middle arm and an opposite end adapted to be attached to a hook at a second end of said first arm. 
     
     
       3. A hose strangler according to  claim 2 , wherein said blocking means includes a cam mechanism for allowing said lever to rotate between the closed and open positions, said cam mechanism comprising: 
       a cam arm pivotally mounted on an end portion of said first arm so as to rotate between a first and second position, wherein at said first position, said cam arm lies parallel to said first and second arms in the closed position, and at the second position, said cam arm defines an angle with respect to said first and second arms in the closed position; and  
       a cam mounted between said lever and cam arm for pressing said cam against a contact surface of said lever, said cam rotating about a cam axis, so that when said cam arm is in the first position, said contact surface of said lever is at a furthest position from said cam axis so as to allow said cam to press against said lever thereby allowing said lever to be locked in the closed position and when said cam arm is in the second position, said cam is released from said lever and said contact surface of said lever is in a closed position from said cam axis and said lever is unlocked and free to rotate to the open position.